Week 03 Flashcards
Define software
A series of detailed instructions
(programs) that control the computer operation
– Computer devices only as good as their software
Define the difference between systems software and applications software
Systems software manages and controls the
operation of the computer system for the user
* Application software provides functionality of
interest to the user
How is software affected by moores law with hardware
Constantly hardware is advancing, hardware will determine a computers potential wheras the software determines the actual usability of the computer. Software needs to evolve to take advantage of hardware - otherwise we face incompatibilities
Why was QWERTY Keyboard made that way?
Early typewriters jammed and so the keyboard was designed in part to slow down typing
Can we change the QWERTY keybaord? How and why don’t people
Can change by software but we don’t because people are relectuant to change
What are two reasons for drag in updating software?
- People are used to way things are used
- People have to program these changes and not alot of people can program. There tends to be a backlog in updating software
Explain operating systems with example
Allocating and managing system resources
Scheduling resources and monitoring the computer
For Example
- Controlling access to storage devices e.g. USB key
– Co-ordinating and controlling peripherals
– Allowing users to input data and instructions ex: Keyboard, mouse
Explain a virtual machine
A virtual machine involves simulating a
complete computer system in software.
– e.g. running Windows programs on an Apple OS
Explain utility programs with example
a range of tools that support the operation and
management of a computer system
* monitor system performance
* provide security controls
ex: virus detection
Explain Development programs with example
Computer software (system and application) is
written in programming languages to carry out
specific information processing tasks. Most people cannot sue these programs.
– Languages like Java, C++, BASIC, Python
Define Application specific software
supports specific business processes or functions
* HR, Finance, Operations, Marketing
Different Types:
- General purpose applications
– Excel - Fully Customised applications
– Written from scratch - Customised general software
– Macros in Excel - Customised sectoral software
– R programs
Why do we generally use general purpose applications? give an example
Usually use off the shelf programs as not many people can program customised ones. ex: excel
Give an example of Fully customised applications, customised general software and customised sectoral software
Fully Customised applications
– Written from scratch
Customised general software
– Macros in Excel
Customised sectoral software
– R programs
What are four challenges in Building software? - explain
Systems analysis – Software requires precise description and people find it difficult to provide this. Level of detail is hard for humans to provide.
* Programming- Attention to detail required and skills in short supply
* Testing
* Implementation – Good software can be badly implemented e.g. inadequate training, bad data
What was the first spreadsheet and why was it created?
Designed by a business school student to do his assignments. Visicalc was a brilliant design in 1970s
Explain the permissive nature of spreadsheets while contrasting flexibility to supportive
Spreadsheets are permissive, they allow you do many different types of work this ensures flexibility. Flexibility is counter to support, so spreadsheets do not stop you
making errors, which means the system builder has to be both careful and skilled
Why are spreadsheets used a modelling tool?
widely used business application
– cheap
– increasingly powerful
– data interchangeable with specialised software
– easy for end user quick and dirty development
– increasing macro capability
– formulas entered independently – little control over modelling process
Give 2 examples of badly designed spreadsheets giving the wrong answer
16000 UK Covid-19 test results lost for a week
24% of Enron spreadsheets with formulas,
contained errors, contributing to corporate failure
Describe spreadsheet good practices
- Design for longevity.
- Be consistent and clear in structure.
- Focus on the required outputs.
– Separate inputs, workings and outputs - Be consistent in the use of formulae.
– Keep formulae short and simple.
– Never embed in a formula anything that might Change or need to be changed.
– Perform calculations once and then refer back to that calculation.
– Avoid using advanced features where simpler features could achieve the same result.
How to test spreadsheets
Check multiple times - get other people also to check
anticipate the answer you should get before you calculate in your checks
Break your spreadsheet deliberately if you can - be aware of what can break it.
test boundary inputs
Why apple over PC?
Apple provides an integrated environment where they build the hardware and
software and they ensure that it all works together.
Windows (laptops) and Android (phones) have more combinations of the
applications and hardware and sometimes this does not work well.
What is BIOS
BIOS, Basic Input/Output System is a small computer program is typically by the CPU to perform start-up procedures and load up the operating system
Explain the different steps of opening up spreadsheet data on a turned off computer
Hardware and BIOS at play
Operating system comes online - provided by windows
GUI and environment also - provided by windows
Application is opened - excel
User data - spreadsheet data can be seen
Explain the different steps of opening up spreadsheet data ona turned off phone
Hardware and BIOS at play
Operating system comes online - provided by android
GUI and environment also - provided by android
Application is opened - excel
User data - spreadsheet data can be seen
Explain android
Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open source software. Designed for touch screens and their hardware
What is significant about smartphones in terms of rotation vs PCs
Smartphones have specific devices to detect rotation etc and this is supported by the operating system and so made available for innovative apps.
e.g. Flightradar24 Flight Tracker point your phone at a plane overhead
Explain bluetooth
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard used
for exchanging data in short range (metre or so). It can connect to peripherals or device to device ex: covid ENS
What is RFID and what does it stand for
RFID (Radio-frequency identification)
-Uses electromagnetic fields to automatically track tags attached to objects.
-Tags contain eleectronically stored data which can be read by an RFID reader.
Ex: Contactless Payments
Compare RFID Tags to barcodes
Electronic information can be over-written repeatedly on RFID -Bar Code information cannot be updated
RFID tags used without line of sight (enhanced security) - Bar Codes require line of sight
Multiple tags can be read simultaneously - Bar Codes can only be read individually
RFID tags are able to cope with dirty environments - Bar Codes cannot be read if they damaged
Automatic tracking and security for RFID - Bar Codes require manual logging
Explain difference between active and passive tag
Active are more expensive and run on batteries. They have long range 70-100m and high frequency ex: toll bridge
Passive tags have no battery shorter range and draw power from scanner
Explain NFC
Near field communication - Specialised RFID method of wireless data transfer that allows smartphones, laptops, tablets and other devices to share data when in close proximity (can interact with RFID tags and RFID readers)
Used for contactless card payments, travel cards, pay by phone
What are the three types of NFC
- Peer-to-peer: Two NFC-enabled devices can
establish a connection and share data.
2.Read/write: Active device, e.g. a phone, picks
up data from a passive device which does not
have the capability of reading information itself.
3.Card emulation: An NFC device can be used like
a contactless credit card
Explain optical character recognition
Optical character recognition (OCR): Software
for the recognition of individual characters. Converts text to digital
Ex: google books
Explain Optical mark recognition
Optical mark recognition (OMR): Recognition of simple marks made on a document ex: Exams , lottery tickets automatically corrected
Explain how bar codes work?
Bar code: A means of displaying a information as a pattern.
– Universal product code: A standard for defining bar
codes used in retailing.
– Bar codes read by bar code reader
Every product ahs a abr code and a product number
Explain the retail point of sale system
Retail Point of sale system
– Bar code / RFID reader
– Link to inventory database
– Link to payment systems
* Loyalty cards
* Security tagging
